The state Agriculture Department says it didn't follow state law when it hired the wife of a state lawmaker to a high-level job.

Department Secretary Richard Bell says the agency terminated Deputy Secretary Cynthia Edwards from her $95,000-a-year job last week. Bell tells the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (http://is.gd/0SrpsQ ) that the department became aware of the policy after the newspaper wrote about another lawmaker's spouse who was employed by the state.

Arkansas law requires approval from the governor and a legislative committee if a state agency wishes to hire the spouse of a legislator who's currently in office.

Cynthia Edwards is married to state Rep. John Edwards. She did not return a message seeking comment.

Bell says he will follow the policy outlined in state law to rehire Edwards.